Piano Tuning: The Science Behind The Art

The Science Behind Piano Tuning's Art

Dr. Albert Sanderson, a Harvard physics professor and inventor of the first Electronic Tuning Device (ETD), discovered something fascinating about piano tuning: mathematical perfection doesn't equal musical perfection. After tuning his piano to exact mathematical ratios and finding the results musically disappointing, he enrolled at Boston's North Bennet Street School to study traditional piano tuning. There, he learned that effective piano tuning requires calculated compromise, a principle he eventually transformed into an algorithm.

However, Sanderson's groundbreaking work focused primarily on pitch relationships. Professional piano tuners understand that stability depends equally on string setting technique. By equalizing tension across each string's multiple segments (typically 4-8 sections), tuners can significantly improve both stability and tone quality. Masters of the craft can also enhance string resonance, producing clearer tones with improved sustain and more pronounced harmonics. Clients often describe this improvement as their piano "ringing like a bell."

The concept of "perfect" unisons—two or three strings playing the same note with zero audible beats—represents another interesting compromise. In reality, there's no such thing as perfect in piano tuning. Instead, skilled technicians focus on what's known as tonal projection, adjusting the piano's sound to complement its environment. This approach, while controversial among some traditionalists, recognizes that pianos must be tuned not just to themselves but to their acoustic space.

This perspective sparked debate during an advanced training session at a major manufacturer's facility. When our instructors presented research on advanced pin setting techniques—backed by extensive aural tuning studies and substantial R&D investment—they faced significant skepticism from traditional tuners. Despite resistance, these techniques remain valuable tools in the modern tuner's arsenal.

While many skilled technicians employ these methods—some intuitively, others with deep theoretical understanding—others may never explore these advanced concepts. When a piano fails to hold its tune or lacks brilliance, assuming environmental factors and the instrument itself aren't at fault, the tuning technique might be the key variable.